Over 40,000 Small coir producers in Kerala stare closure due to lack of orders

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1 (KNN) The Small-Scale Coir Factory Societies Association in Kerala has urged chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to intervene in order to resolve the prolonged crisis in the coir sector.

V.M. Hariharan, secretary of the small-scale coir factory societies association said that crisis in the sector had left around 40,000 workers in lurch.

The small-scale coir units in Cherthala and Ambalapuzha taluks are facing a tough time due to the lack of orders for coir handloom products since the beginning of the year.

“The exporters instead of placing orders with the Kerala coir corporation are procuring the products from units of their choice with the help of intermediaries. Due to this practice, many small-scale societies and factories are deprived of their share of orders, pushing them into turmoil, “association said.

The factory owners in the state had earlier staged an indefinite strike from May 25 to June 10, demanding government intervention to revive the crisis-ridden sector. The strike ended after Industries and Coir Minister P. Rajeev held a conciliation meeting.

As per reports, the small-scale factories are now alleging that despite the promises made at the meeting, the exporters are not notifying orders for traditional coir products with Kerala State Coir Corporation Ltd. They have demanded an end to the 'depot system' (middlemen).

The association urged the state government to procure coir mats, mattings and so on ahead of Onam, just like they did in the previous year.

Around 65 societies encompassing 8,000-odd small-scale coir units produce coir doormats and mattings on handlooms in the outskirts of Alappuzha and Cherthala towns.  (KNN Bureau)